Rash of measles hits TA migrants

Thirteen cases of measles have been diagnosed since January among Tel Aviv-area
migrant workers and their children. Seven of them were identified in the last
week, including six babies and a 22-year-old man. All of the children were
treated at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.

The Tel Aviv District Health
Office and the municipality said on Wednesday that they have launched a
vaccination campaign among children of migrant workers. It will take place in
their daycare centers; their parents will also be vaccinated against the viral
disease, which is usually harmless but can cause complications and, in severe
cases, death.

The Health Ministry gave instructions to family health
centers to reduce the measles vaccination age for all children of migrant
workers to six months so that they can be protected in view of the outbreak.